Movable panel for a vehicle exterior

Abstract

A vehicle may have a vehicle exterior panel, which includes a rigid body defining at least in part a vehicle outer surface. A utility panel having an exterior surface and a generally planar utility surface may be movable with respect to the rigid body between a first position and a second position. The exterior surface is integrated into the vehicle outer surface and the utility surface is concealed at least partially within the vehicle outer surface when the utility panel is in the first position. The utility surface is deployed outwardly from the vehicle outer surface and positioned substantially horizontally when the utility panel is moved to the second position, with the utility panel extending from a support point of the rigid body such that the utility surface provides a work surface extending from the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle exterior panel, comprising:
 a rigid body defining at least in part a vehicle outer surface; 
 a utility panel having an exterior surface and a utility surface, wherein the utility panel comprises:
 a lower portion pivotably mounted above a wheel arch such that the utility panel is movable with respect to the rigid body between a first position and a second position; and 
 an upper portion that extends longitudinally beyond the lower portion; 
 
 wherein the utility panel conceals a storage cavity when the utility panel is in the first position; 
 wherein the exterior surface of the utility panel is integrated into the vehicle outer surface; and 
 wherein the utility surface is deployed outwardly from the vehicle outer surface and positioned substantially horizontally when the utility panel is moved to the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle exterior panel is a rear quarter panel of a vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the utility panel is a first utility panel 
 the vehicle exterior panel comprises at least a second utility panel, the second utility panel movable with respect to the rigid body between first and second positions, the second utility panel defining a second utility surface that is deployed outwardly from the vehicle outer surface and substantially horizontally when the second utility panel is moved to the second position; and 
 the second utility panel in the second position is at a vertical position below the first utility panel in the second position. 
 
     
     
       4. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper and lower portions of the utility panel form a T-shape; and 
 the T-shape extends outwardly from the vehicle outer surface when the utility panel is in the second position. 
 
     
     
       5. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the utility panel extends longitudinally from a front portion disposed forward of the wheel arch to a rear portion disposed rearward of the wheel arch. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 4 , wherein the utility panel in the first position further conceals an access port that allows access to a storage compartment. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 6 , wherein the storage cavity is located above the wheel arch and wherein the access port is located forward of the storage cavity. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 7 , wherein the utility panel in the first position further conceals an additional storage cavity located rearward of the storage cavity. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 6 , wherein the storage compartment is a cargo bed. 
     
     
       10. A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle exterior panel having a rigid body defining at least in part a vehicle outer surface; 
 a utility panel having an exterior surface and a utility surface, wherein the utility panel comprises:
 a lower portion pivotably mounted above a wheel arch such that the utility panel is movable with respect to the rigid body between a first position and a second position; and 
 an upper portion that extends longitudinally beyond the lower portion; 
 
 a storage cavity; 
 wherein the storage cavity is concealed by the utility panel when the utility panel is in the first position; 
 wherein the exterior surface of the utility panel is integrated into the vehicle outer surface when the utility panel is in the first position; and 
 wherein the utility surface is deployed outwardly from the vehicle outer surface and positioned substantially horizontally when the utility panel is moved to the second position. 
 
     
     
       11. The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle exterior panel is a rear quarter panel of the vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an access port that allows access to a cargo bed, wherein the access port is concealed by the utility panel when the utility panel is in the first position; and 
 a tailgate configured to be lowered to an open position facilitating access to the cargo bed of the vehicle, wherein the utility surface is vertically above a deployed surface of the tailgate when the utility panel is in the second position and the tailgate is opened. 
 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the utility panel is a first utility panel 
 the vehicle comprises at least a second utility panel, the second utility panel movable with respect to the rigid body between first and second positions, the second utility panel defining a second utility surface that is deployed outwardly from the vehicle outer surface and substantially horizontally when the second utility panel is moved to the second position; and 
 the second utility panel in the second position is at a vertical position below the first utility panel in the second position. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle exterior panel of  claim 2 , wherein the rear quarter panel defines the wheel arch, the utility panel extending above the wheel arch when the utility panel is in the first position. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the upper and lower portions of the utility panel form a T-shape; and 
 the T-shape extends outwardly from the vehicle outer surface when the utility panel is in the second position. 
 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the upper portion of the utility panel extends longitudinally from a front portion disposed forward of the wheel arch to a rear portion disposed rearward of the wheel arch. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 15 , further comprising an access port that allows access to a storage compartment, wherein the access port is concealed by the utility panel when the utility panel is in the first position. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the storage cavity is located above the wheel arch and wherein the access port is located forward of the storage cavity. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 17 , further comprising an additional storage cavity, wherein:
 the additional storage cavity is concealed by the utility panel when the utility panel is in the first position; 
 the additional storage cavity is located rearward of the storage cavity; 
 the storage cavity is located above the wheel arch; and 
 the access port is located forward of the storage cavity. 
 
     
     
       20. The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the storage compartment is a cargo bed that is also accessible via a tailgate.